FRANKCLAY SCHOOL STARTED IN 1890
Sometime in the early 1890's a one room school was started in Jordontown. This, apparently, was the beginning of the Frankclay district. The original structure was abandoned about 1901 and the building that took the place of the Jordantown school is now the Frankclay Garage. It was a one room school and served the community from 1901 until 1910, when the present school building was erected. A bond issue of $10,000 was voted in 1910 and a four room structure was erected. About 1920 two basement rooms were added and in 1930 two more rooms were completed in the basement of the structure. In 1936 an additional room was completed on the first floor. Each of these additions was brought about because of crowded conditions in the school.
The first approved high school was established in 1923 with two years work. This was a third class high school and Mrs. Blanche Griffith (now rural school supervisor, State Department of Education) was the superintendent at that time.
A third year's work was added to the high school curriculum in 1929 and the work continued with two teachers, O. F. Forbes and Roy F. Sutherlin, until 1930, when a fourth year's work was added and an additional teacher (Mrs. Allan Edmundson) was hired. It was at this time that the school was accredited as a first class high school--which rating it still maintains.
In 1932 Mrs. Edith Lesem took the place of Mrs. Edmundson and in 1935 a fourth teacher (Miss Elizabeth Telkamper) was added to the faculty. The high school still uses four teachers. At the present time the school board is considering adding another department next season, which will require the services of a fifth teacher.
In 1936 Music and Art was added to the elementary school work and the faculty of that division was increased to eight members.
The first high school graduating class was in 1931 with 11 graduates. Only one pupil was graduated in 1932. In 1933 there were four graduates; 1934, seven graduates; 1935, six graduates; 1936, eight graduates; 1937, 11 graduates; and in 1938 there were nine graduates. This makes a total of 56 pupils graduated from the high school during its existence, each of whom is still living. Of these graduates about 15 have since attended Flat River Junior College and two have gone to Southeast Missouri State Teachers College at Cape Girardeau, Mo.
At present a combination grade and high school building is being erected. It is to be a native limestone building of nine class rooms, auditorium and gymnasium, study hall, laboratory, superintendent's office and bowling alleys, at a cost of $120,000. It is expected to be ready for occupancy some time in 1939. A major portion of the funds are being furnished by the W.P.A.
Present high school enrollment is 55 with an enrollment of 310 for the entire system. Total number of faculty members is 12. The system includes a three-room ward school at Wortham, commonly called Cherryville. Transportation is handled by a bus owned by the school which has a seating capacity of 35. The bus makes four trips each school morning and evening and furnishes transportation for about 100 children--driving approximately fifty miles each day.
Because of the possession of the bus, this year the school started a noteworthy custom of taking every child in the school to some place of interest (of educational value) some time during the school year.
High school faculty members with their experience and qualifications are as follows:
Superintendent Roy F. Sutherlin, who teaches social science and history, received his B.S. in Education degree at Southeast Missouri State Teachers College at Cape Girardeau. He has done graduate work at the University of Missouri. Has taught for a number of years, and has held superintendencies here and at Hayward. He has been with the Frankclay schools nine years and in the past served as principal at Irondale and also as principal at Advance, Mo.
The high school principal, O. F. Forbes, teaches mathematics and science. He received his B.S. in Education degree at Southeast Missouri State Teachers College and has done post graduate work at Rolla. He has been in the Frankclay school system 10 years and formerly taught in rural schools in Washington County.
Leon J. Scowden, who studied at Flat River Junior College and also at Southeast Missouri State Teachers College, has taught geography, English and mathematics here for two years. He was formerly superintendent at St. Clair and also at Elvins and Esther.
Miss Mary Louise Kilmer, teacher of commerce and English, received her B.S. in Education degree in 1936 at Central Missouri State Teachers College at Warrensburg. She has taken graduate work at the University of Iowa. Miss Kilmer has taught in the Frankclay school one year and formerly taught at Norris high school at Blairstown.
The principal of the elementary grades is Leslie Bradley, who teaches the 7th and 8th grades and coaches athletics for the high school. Mr. Bradley studied at Flat River Junior College and at Southeast Missouri State Teachers College and has been in the Frankclay schools seven years.
Principal of the Wortham ward school is A. J. Greene, who has studied at Southeast Missouri State Teachers College. He has been a member of the faculty here for eight years and taught formerly at Fremont and at Portageville.
Following is the list of grade school teachers with the years served in the Frankclay schools: The Misses Pearl Zimmerman, 4 years; Pearl Strauser, 5 years; Doris Ponder, 1 year; Doris Byrd, 2 years; Mrs. Irene Rich, 2 years; Lytle Shumake, 2 years.